LETTERS TO THE LONG ISLAND EDITOR

LETTERS TO THE LONG ISLAND EDITOR; Yes, Massapequa Has A Fine Side, Too

Published: February 14, 1993

"Live, and in Sizzling Color, the Trashing of the Island" [ Jan. 24 ] struck a nerve. As a lifelong resident of Massapequa, I especially take offense at your subtitle "Sodom, Gomorrah and Massapequa."

Are we really to believe that no bizarre or absurd situations occur elsewhere in the nation? Sure, Massapequa may be credited with Jessica Hahn and Joey Buttafuoco (who, we should remember, is a victim in his own Kafka-esque situation), but many other famous and not-so-famous fine people hail from here as well. How about Ron Kovic, Vietnam veteran and author of "Born on the Fourth of July"? What about actors Alec Baldwin and all of his brothers, Jerry Seinfeld or Steve Guttenberg? Does the name of weatherman Dr. Frank Field ring a bell? Or maybe former Secretary of Labor Peter Brennan? Then, of course, you have the hundreds of unsung heros working right in the community such as the Little League and soccer coaches, Boy and Girl Scout leaders and my personal favorites, the civic-association volunteers. Long Island in general, and Massapequa in particular, is alive and well, thank you. The good things to come out of our suburban enclave always seem to get dwarfed by the bizarre and lewd activities of a small minority. Of course, bizarre and lewd sell newspapers; civic and social accomplishments do not. RAYMOND G. RUSSOLILLO President, Nassau Shores (Massapequa) Civic Association